Terminal for coil support



Oct. 25, 1960 E. STANWYCK 2,958,063

TERMINAL FOR 0011. SUPPORT Filed July 12. 1955 F/g. I

1 l4 a ,6 Fig. 2 ,6 In ,6

Fig. 4 l6 II] a U Edmund Sfanwyc/r INVENTOR. Fig. 5

United States Patent TERMINAL FOR COIL SUPPORT Edmund Stanwyck, Box 404, Willow Lane, N ewburgh, N .Y.

Filed July 12, 1955, Ser. No. 521,437

6 Claims. (Cl. 339-17) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in electrical connectors, and more specifically, to an improved terminal construction.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 474,823, filed December 13, 1954, now Patent No. 2,885,679, dated May 12, 1959.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved terminal utilized for the purpose of connecting and supporting electronic parts relative to a chassis.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved terminal for attaching bases of electronic parts to a chassis, the terminal being so constructed whereby a portion thereof functions as a stop to support the base above the chassis to permit cooling or for other purposes.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved terminal for attaching bases of electronic parts to chassis, the terminal including an attaching portion having intermediate part provided with a bend intended to be disposed behind a chassis and form a snap-like connection therewith.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved terminal for attaching electronic parts to a chassis, the terminal having an attaching portion which is elongated and tapered with the narrowest portion thereof at the lower end thereof whereby the terminal may be readily inserted in a circular aperture of the type which may be conveniently punched at a multiple rate.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved terminal for attaching electronic parts to a chassis having a printed circuit, the terminal having an attaching portion with a bend in an intermediate part disposed behind the chassis to retain the terminal in place and such bend engaging the printed circuit to form an electrical connection therewith.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through a chassis of a piece of electronic equipment and shows attached to the chassis a coil by means of a plurality of terminals, the terminals being the subject of this invention, the windings of the coil being omitted and only the coil form being illustrated;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the terminals and shows the general details thereof;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view on a reduced scale of the chassis of Figure 1 and shows the printed circuit thereof and the relationship of the terminals of the terminal of the coil with respect to such printed circuit;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 1 and shows the terminals attached to the coil form in their lowered position so as to form stops relative to the chassis and thereby space the lower end of the coil form above the chassis for purposes of cooling and the like; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of terminal.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figure 1 a chassis 10 of a piece of electronic equipment. Formed on the underside of the chassis 10 is a printed circuit 12, the printed circuit being best illustrated in Figure 3. Seated on the chassis 10 is a coil form 14. Securing the coil form 14 in place and also forming an electrical connection between the winding (not shown) of the coil of which the coil form 14 is a part and the printed circuit 12 is a plurality of terminals, each terminal being identical and being referred to in general by the reference numeral 16.

Each of the terminals 16, as is best illustrated in Figure 2, includes an elongated body portion 18 which is preferably of a constant width. Struck from the body portion 18 is a pair of spaced prongs 20. These prongs 20 are passed through the coil form 14 and bent over to secure the terminal 16 to the coil form 14 in a manner not shown.

The extreme upper end of the body portion 18 terminates in an outwardly bent conductor securing flange 22. The conductor securing flange 22 is provided on opposite sides thereof with notches 24, the notches 24 forming conductor attaching means. which may form an end of one of the windings of the coil may be wrapped about the flange 22 and be seated in the notches 24 for ease of securing.

The lower end of the body portion 18 terminates in an attaching portion which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 26. The attaching portion is tapered in width and terminates in a relatively narrow lower end 28. The upper end of the attaching portion 26 is of a lesser width than the body portion 18 and accordingly forms at the lower end of the body portion 18 shoulders 30. The attaching portion 26 also includes an intermediate part which has a bend 32 whose function will be set forth in more detail hereinafter. The bend or bend portion is preferably in the form of a double bend, as shown, with two sides connected to form a knee.

As is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the chassis 10 is provided with suitable cross-sectional apertures 34. The individual apertures 34 correspond in position to the terminals 16 and intersect portions of the printed circuit 12. As is well known, a circular aperture may be more readily punched than any other cross-sectional aperture, Accordingly, the formation of a terminal or other attaching devices which may be utilized in conjunction with a circular aperture is highly desirable.

When it is desired to attach the coil form 14 to the chassis 10, it is merely necessary to properly align the terminals 16 with the apertures 34. After this has been done, the coil form 14 is moved towards the chassis 10 with the result that the narrow lower ends 28 of the terminals 16 will pass into the associated apertures 34, followed by the tapered portion 26. The taper of portion 26 is to guide the terminal into its aperture 34 and com-.

pensate for slight misalignment, and also in some instances bind somewhat against the edge of the aperture. Continued downward movement of the coil form 14 will result in the snapping of the bend portions 32 behind the chassis It), as is best illustrated in Figure 1. This will lock the coil form 14 to the chassis 10. Further, inasmuch as the bend portions 32 extend towards the printed circuit 12, they will be engaged electrically with the printed circuit 12 to form a complete circuit between the windings (not shown) of the coil of which the coil form 14 is a part, and the printed circuit 12.

Referring now to Figure 4 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a slightly modified form of connection between the chassis 10 and the coil form 14. In

I the present instance, the body portion 18 of each of the A conductor (not shown) 3 terminals 16 has been lowered with respect to the coil form 14. In this manner, the shoulders 30 of each terminal 16 are disposed below the lower end of the coil form 14. Accordingly, when the coil form 14 is positioned with respect to the chassis 110, the lower end thereof will be spaced above the chassis 10 to provide for proper ventilation and the like.

Referring now to Figure in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of terminal which is referred to in general by reference numeral 36. The terminal 36 includes a body portion 38 having securing prongs 40 punched therefrom. It is also provided with a conductor securing flange 42 including suitable conductor receiving notches 44. Further, the lower end of the terminal 36 is in the form of an attaching portion which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 46. The attaching portion 46 is tapered and terminates in a narrow lower end 48. The intersection of the attaching portion 46 with the body portion 38 results in the forming of shoulders 50 and the attaching portion 46 includes an intermediate offset part having a bend 52.

The terminal 36 is identical with the terminal 16 with the exception of the relationship of the prongs 40. It is to be noted that the prongs 20 are spaced relatively far apart whereas the prongs 40 are spaced relatively close together. By so positioning the prongs 40, if desired, although not illustrated, the body portion 38 may be shortened so that the terminal 36 can be secured to bases for electronic parts which are relatively short.

Although in many instances the terminals will engage the printed circuits and form an electrical contact therewith, such contact normally will not be such as to be relied upon. Accordingly, it will be necessary to solder the connection between the individual terminal and the printed circuit.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a chassis, a support for coils and other electronic parts, a terminal for said support comprising an elonagted body portion, mounting means on said body portion, and an attaching portion formed at one end of said body portion, said chassis having a small diameter circular aperture for receiving a single terminal, said attaching portion passing through said aperture, said attaching portion being tapered in width and terminating in a narrow free end to facilitate positioning of said terminal in said aperture, said attaching portion having an intermediate part provided with a bend having outward and inwardly slanting sides, at least a part of said bend disposed behind said chassis to retain said terminal in place, said chassis being provided with a printed circuit, said intermediate part bend being in electrical contact with said printed circuit, and said narrow free end being disposed generally coplanar with the plane of the body portion.

2. A terminal for coils and other electronic parts, said terminal comprising an elongated body portion, an attaching portion formed at one end of said body portion, said body portion terminating at the end thereof remote from said attaching portion in a conductor securing flange, said flange being provided with conductor attaching means, said body portion being straight and flat between said flange and said attaching portion, a mounting prong struck from said body portion and projecting therefrom, said attaching portion being narrower in Width than said body portion and providing at least one stop shoulder on said one end of said body portion, said attaching portion being longitudinally tapered and terminating in a narrow straight free end to facilitate positioning of said terminal in an aperture, said free end being approximately coplanar with the plane of said body portion, said attaching portion having a bend provided with outward and inwardly slanting sides intermediate said free end and said body portion, said attaching portion and said flange projecting in the same direction from said body portion 1 and opposite from that of said mounting prong.

3. A terminal for coils and other electronic parts, said terminal comprising an elongated body portion, an attaching portion formed at one end of said body portion, said body portion terminating at the end thereof remote from said attaching portion in a conductor securing flange, said flange being provided with conductor attaching means, said body portion being straight and flat intermediate said attaching portion, a mounting prong struck from said body portion and projecting therefrom, said attaching portion being narrower in width than said body portion and providing at least one stop shoulder on said one end of said body portion, said attaching portion being longitudinally tapered and terminating in a narrow straight free end to facilitate positioning of said terminal in an aperture, said free end being extending in the same direction as said body portion, and said attaching portion having a bend provided with outward and inwardly slanted sides intermediate this free end and said body portion.

4. In a circuit board having small holes, terminals to connect the bodies of parts to the board by using the small holes, each terminal comprising an elongated straight and flat body portion, an attaching portion at one end of said body portion, a mounting prong struck from said body portion and projecting therefrom, said attaching portion being longitudinally tapered and terminating in a narrow straight free end facilitating the entry and positioning of said terminal in one of said holes, said free end being coplanar with said body portion, said attaching portion having a bend provided with inwardly and outwardly slanted sides intermediate said free end and said body portion, and said attaching portion and said flange projecting in the same direction from said body portion and opposite from that of said mounting prong.

5. In combination with a chassis, a support for coils and other electronic parts, a terminal for said support comprising an elongated body portion, mounting means on said body portion, and an attaching portion formed at one end of said body portion, said chassis having a small diameter circular aperture receiving only a single terminal, said attaching portion passing through said aperture, said attaching portion being tapered in width and terminating in a narrow free end to facilitate entry and positioning of said terminal in said aperture, said attaching portion having an intermediate part provided with a bend having outward and inwardly slanting sides, at least a part of said bend disposed behind said chassis to retain said terminal in place, said chassis being provided with a printed circuit, that part of said intermediate part bend disposed within said aperture sloping from one side of said chassis to the opposite side thereof whereby said intermediate part is wedged into contact with said printed circuit.

6. In combination with a chassis, a support for coils and other electronic parts, a terminal for the support comprising an elongated body portion, mounting means on said body portion, and an attaching portion formed.

at one end of said body portion, said chassis having a small diameter circular aperture receiving only a single terminal, said attaching portion passing through said aperture, said attaching portion being tapered in width and terminating in a narrow free end to facilitate entry and positioning of said terminal in said aperture, said attach- 1ng portion having an intermediate part provided with a double bend having slanting sides disposed behind said chassis to retain said terminal in place, said chassis being provided with a printed circuit, that part of saidintermediate part double bend disposed within said aperture sloping from one side of said chassis to the opposite side thereof whereby said intermediate part is wedged into contact with said printed circuit, said narrow free end being approximately coplanar with the plane of said body portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,434,211 Hull et a1. Jan. 6, 1948 2,606,227 Clayton Aug. 5, 1952 2,613,244 Del Camp Oct. 7, 1952 6 Murphy Apr. 5, 1955 Blitz Apr. 26, 1955 Cochran June 28, 1955 Lazzery et a1 Apr. 17, 1956 Del Camp Apr. 30, 1957 Del Camp Mar. 4, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES ihillips, Electronic Equipment, February 1955, page 5. 

